By Mara Pattison-Sowden
YARRA Junction CFA volunteers will be better equipped with an important upgrade to their fire fighting vehicles.
A new $235,000 light pumper is an appliance which is designed to fight building fires rather than bush fires.
It holds 2500 litres of water which will enable the brigade to respond to emergencies more efficiently and effectively.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin handed over the keys to brigade Captain Barry Teklenburg on 25 January on behalf of Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan.
With the Yarra Junction brigade responding to an average or 80 to 100 call outs a year, Capt Teklenburg said all the brigade members were very pleased with the new vehicle.
“It’s exciting to get a new vehicle and learn and update our skills,” he said.
“We knew we were in line for a vehicle sometime soon and when we were notified last year it was very good news.”
Capt Teklenburg said the new vehicle had a larger capacity pump and better accommodation for crew.
“It has upgraded equipment; it’s slightly more powerful and more comfortable.”
Mr Battin said the new replacement pumper would be a valuable addition to Yarra Junction CFA and enable it to provide additional support to its neighbouring brigades.
It has a light-weight, fabricated and open-framed aluminium body which is equipped with more than $28,000 worth of stowage equipment, such as portable generator, positive pressure ventilation fan, light stands, hand and salvage tools, ladders, and a delivery hose.
Mr Battin said Yarra Junction CFA had a rich local history with 22 dedicated members.
“Yarra Junction CFA has served its community well for many years and participated in major fire events such as the Black Friday and Ash Wednesday fires but more recently in the tragic events of February 7 2009,” Mr Battin said.
Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan said volunteer firefighters gave their all to serve the community and deserved to have the best equipment available.
“Local volunteer agencies such as Yarra Junction CFA are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency service response,” Mr Ryan said.
Yarra Junction CFA is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year and will have an open day on Sunday 11 March along with a Fire Ready Victoria meeting at the station, 37 Yarra Street, Yarra Junction.
